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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The interval between two notes. Two whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






2. Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist.






3. Lowest female singing voice.






4. Singing in unison - texts in a free rhythm. Similar to the rhythm of speech.






5. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






6. A period in history dating from the 14th to 16th centuries. This period signified the rebirth of music - art - and literature.






7. A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition - a development - or recapitulation.






8. Elaborate polyphonic composition of the Boroque and Renaissance periods.






9. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






10. Made up of five horizontal parallel lines and the spaces between them on which musical notation is written.






11. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






12. A string of chords played in succession.






13. To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.






14. A direction to play expressively.






15. A dance written in triple time - where the accent falls on the first beat of each measure.






16. The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up into two - three - four beats to a measure.






17. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






18. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.






19. Vocal composition written for three or more solo parts - usually without instrumental accompaniment.






20. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






21. A separate section of a larger composition.






22. A composition based on previous work. A common technique used in Medieval and Renaissance music.






23. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






24. The expression the performer brings when playing his instrument.






25. Arranging a piece of music for an orchestra. Also - the study of music.






26. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






27. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






28. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






29. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






30. Introduction to an opera or other large musical work.






31. A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest.






32. The movement of chords in succession.






33. A composition whose style is simple and idyllic; suggestive of rural scenes.






34. A musical style characterized as excessive - ornamental - and trivial.






35. Combining a number of individual but harmonizing melodies. Also known as counterpoint.






36. Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance.






37. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






38. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






39. Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions.






40. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






41. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






42. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






43. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






44. Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.






45. A symbol indicating the note is to be raised by one semitone.






46. A composition written for three voices and instruments performed by three people






47. A dance written in triple time - where the accent falls on the first beat of each measure.






48. The interval between two notes. Two whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






49. To shift to another key.






50. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.